How Dyslexic Queen Conquered the Fashion industry- The Story of Dolly Quintter

in the entertainment scene Hi, how are you doing? I'm fine, thank you. Thank you for coming. Thank you for having me, Ali. So, what's your name? My name is Dolly Quinta Mungai, but everyone calls me Dolly for short. Because my name has 13 letters, which is a bit long, everyone calls me Dolly. What's your real name? Dolly what? Dolly Quinta, so it's D-O-L-L-Y-Q-U-I-N-T-A. Alright, and anyone listening will know you have an accent. Where are you from? I am originally from Kenya, but I was raised in the UK. That's where you got the accent from. Alright, so you're here to share your story. It's your time挲 So, basically, I was born in Kenya, and I moved to the United Kingdom when I was 18 months old. And I'd say I've had a very fulfilling childhood. I've been very lucky in many ways, obviously, to be able to partly live in two different countries, So I came back to also study in Kenya. I've been incredibly lucky. I have always, ever since I was a young child, had a passion for fashion. I suppose my passion for fashion has developed because I'm an only child. I don't have any brothers or sisters. My parents created a masterpiece. I'm an only child, so I suppose I developed a love for fashion from a young age. So when most children would go to the toy section, when their parents would go shopping, I would go to the magazine section and look at magazines and clothes. That's where my love for fashion began. School life was a little bit difficult for me because I have a condition called dyslexia. Dyslexia is not a disease, for those who may not know. It is a condition. It affects the brain's coordination and can also impact one's ability to read. Someone can identify numbers. So I'd say that at the beginning of my going to school was a little bit difficult. because I wasn't diagnosed with dyslexia. It only came about when I turned 12; I was diagnosed with dyslexia. As a child in school, I was extremely, extremely destructive. I was definitely the class clown. I was late for class. I was really misbehaved at school. My mother realized that there was a problem with my behavior. So she took me to an educational psychologist. just obviously trying to see if there's something wrong with my behavior, if I have ADHD or whatever the issue was And we discovered that I had dyslexia, which made my life a lot easier. Because I was relieved that, obviously, I knew why I had behaved the way I did. So I received the help and support that I needed, And I was able to truly thrive in school and do exceptionally well. So moving forward, I returned to Kenya. You know what, Ali? If I tell you, I respectfully disagree; I can't really remember the exact year. But I was here for three years. I think it was around 2014, 2013. I was here, I went to school. I won't say the school, just in case I say something that's a bit negative And then they come for me. So I won't say the school. So I came to Kenya to study for three years, which was a major culture shock for me. It was such a huge culture shock. Because in England, schools, you're a lot more expressive. So even if you don't agree with what a teacher says, You can say, I don't agree. If you don't agree with something, you can question your teachers. Where I found in Kenya, you really have to listen carefully to what your teacher says. And whatever the teacher says goes. You can't argue with a teacher. So you're kind of put in a box, I found. So I found it really hard to get settled in. And waking up was difficult, because I went to a boarding school. Which school is it? I told you, I can't tell you. Okay, okay, okay. You tried to catch me off guard. So I found it really difficult to wake up. It was an IGCSE school, just in case. I continued with the English system. It was just difficult for me to adjust to being in Kenya. I wasn't really accustomed to the culture, the food. It was just really difficult. But I adjusted, I adapted. And I was here for three years, But I always went back home for holidays and stuff. But while I was here, I knew that I would not pursue further higher education. I knew I wasn't going to go to university. I knew that was out of the question. So I worked in a store called Harrods. For those who don't know what Harrods is, Harrods is such that there's only one store in the entire world like it. So they sell things like YSL, Gucci, Louis Vuitton. So when major brands experience significant declines, That's the store where they send their big drops. Yeah, that's where they send their big drops. So I worked there, and I realized I could do more. And then I started doing personal shopping. That's how I started my business. I started doing personal shopping. For those who do not know what personal shopping is, How would I explain it? It's like having a personal chef and also having a personal assistant sort of thing. So basically, I attend to your needs—if that makes any sense. So it's all in one. I don't cook for you, but I help you with your closet. So I'll tell you how to coordinate colors. I'll tell you what's the right thing to fit your body shape. So I started my personal shopping business. And then when I started my personal shopping business, I started from the beginning to shop for football players. That's what I did. I bought football players. My first clients were Crystal Palace, If anyone knows the Crystal Palace football players. Those were my first clients. And then I realized I needed to narrow down my niche. And when I narrowed down my niche, I went to the 1%. Those who know what the 1% is, I'm sure you all know. So I went down to the 1%, which is really, really going back again, being dyslexic and not being very academic, I found a passion that I love. And I think it's really important for people to know that Even if you're not academic, you can still do other things. There are so many careers. You can be an artist. Some artists, for example, like Banksy, They get paid millions of pounds just for drawing. So you don't have to be specifically a doctor or a nurse if that's not really what you're incapable of doing. Do you know what I mean? Not everyone can be academic. So I started Stylist Dolly, which has been ongoing since I was 20. And I'm 32 now. So it's been going on. Yeah, wait. I'm 32 now. It has been going on for a long time. Yeah, it's been going on for some time now. And yes, I really enjoy what I do. But my main point, obviously, is because I've been exposed so much due to my condition, I want to go back home and educate people about the condition of dyslexia. and let them know that even if you are dyslexic, It's not the end of the world. You can do certain things. You can maneuver. Because there is someone out there somewhere who is struggling academically. Perhaps they are not achieving the grades they desire. Or perhaps they are not achieving the things they want to achieve. So I just want to bring out an awareness so parents can stop being so strict with their children about performing well academically. We have kid YouTubers who make millions. That makes millions is due to their personality. So I just want to point that out, That you don't have to be academic to succeed in life. What are some of the things that a parent can look at? And tell me if maybe my child could be dyslexic? Dyslexic. It's not a very easy word to say. It took me some time. What a parent can identify is between three and four, Are they having trouble with nursery rhymes? The simplest thing. Are they having trouble putting on their shoes? Do they put their shoes on? I know, obviously, kids, at the beginning, They put their shoes on the wrong way, left and right. But how long is it lasting for? Are they still having trouble doing it? Are they having trouble buttoning up? Are they having trouble coordinating things? To put the square in the box or the box in the square? Things like that. Because obviously dyslexia affects coordination. That's what parents should pay attention to. But they shouldn't discourage their children and pin them in the box and call them stupid. That's the worst thing you could possibly do. because later on that individual is going to be very reserved and have self-doubt. And that's when all sorts of other things come into play, Like self-harm, people start taking drugs. You know what I mean? You feel like suicide. People begin to feel inadequate. And we don't want that, you know what I mean? We don't want people to feel like they aren't worthy. Because we're all worthy, no matter what you can. There are things I can do that you can't, and vice versa. Do you know what I mean? Would you say that maybe that condition affected your social life? No, not at all. I'm a social butterfly. but I'm also an introvert at the same time. I can be one of those people I don't really like. Because once again, I'm an only child. I do love being by myself. I love my own space. But also in social settings, I'm perfectly fine with meeting people, talking to people. I'm perfectly fine with it. I don't think it affected me. because I was diagnosed quite late, but quite early. Then I knew what was wrong with me. Do you understand what I mean? So I didn't continue with my entire life. But there's probably an adult out there who are in their 40s or 50s. They don't even know. So they always avoid looking at the time or texting. Because they aren't able to do it. You know what I mean? And probably their loved ones, They think that person might be ignorant. or they are rude. They don't respond to messages. But it's not that they're rude. It's just that they can't do it. What are some of the normal things? that someone can just do but with dyslexia, they can't? Normal things are basically I drive. And I find it difficult to distinguish between left and right. So on my windshield of my car, I have a red sticker and a green sticker. So I know when my sat-nav says left, I know which sticker to look at. So you just find coping mechanisms to basically help you get by. Right now, you don't know which side is your left? Yeah. Obviously, I now have to keep an eye on things. Today it's easy, but usually not. And then maybe what would you tell someone Who has been diagnosed with dyslexia? What I would want to tell someone who has been diagnosed with dyslexia, some of the greatest minds that have ever lived on our planet have had dyslexia. Albert Einstein who came up with the conclusion that time is an illusion, which is one of my favorite sayings. Richard Branson Muhammad Ali one of the most recognizable athletes in the world Will Smith There are so many. The list goes on. Tom Cruise There's George Washington, who run an entire country. Churchill was dyslexic. Who was the Prime Minister of the UK at some point? But I'm just saying, There are so many people who are dyslexic. Steve Jobs I'm sure there are so many of us here that use iPhones. That means I might be dyslexic. And I don't know. Yeah. Out of ten people, Four people are dyslexic. Out of ten people, Four are dyslexic. And some know, and some don't know. And dyslexia is different. Some people it affects them where they cannot read or write at all. And some people it affects them where they can read but they struggle with certain things. What is likely the worst that could happen? to someone who is dyslexic And they don't even know? I think the worst that can happen, Obviously, you can't die from it, But it is hereditary. So if you have it, Maybe your kids are bound to have it. or your grandchildren are bound to have it. So it would be something that if it is not helped or not extinguished in its early stages if you don't have like coping mechanism It could be a hereditary curse. you know what I mean I wouldn't say curse but it could be something that your entire family could have and then no one has figured it out How to operate it. So it could be like It could hinder people's development. Okay. Going back to probably the fashion industry What do you think? What's your take on the Kenyan fashion industry? What do you think about it? Like looking at how people dress, Do you think people have an idea? What fashion is or people just out there Just dressing? I think one thing I would love to say, Obviously, I'm Kenyan. Kenyan people are amazing human beings. They are extremely talented. but in fashion, There are many fakes. That's one thing I have to say. There are many fakes. and the Chinese man must be doing well. He is thriving here in Kenya. Yeah, he must be. Importing a large number of fakes. That's the only thing I find. and I find that in Kenya, Maybe now, People are more expressive. with fashion But everyone seems quite timid. So everyone seems like They are wearing the same thing. So if you wear something different, You stand out just a bit. Yeah, that's what I think. And would you say being in the fashion industry can change someone's life, Can it make you earn a living from it? Yeah. As I said, That's how I earn my living. That's how I make money. I have been able to travel. to over 53 countries with my job We're doing fashion. Like the entire continent of Africa. Yeah, yeah. So I've been able to do that with my job I have been able to sustain a healthy life with it and not obviously fulfill all my desires because I'm still working on it but achieve a great many of my desires from fashion. Fashion is one of the most biggest industries like in the world. Fashion and beauty one of the largest industries Amazing, amazing. We've come to the end of this story. And if you don't know about dyslexia That's what I'm going to talk about. But if you don't know, I hope you have learned two or three things And for those of us who don't know, She has an accent. because I'm the one Who's speaking? And I hope You at home Understand what she's saying. I'm going to turn the captions on. I'm going to turn on the captions. If you hear something else, It will help you. Anyway, thank you so much Thank you for your time. Thank you so much, Ali. for having me. I really appreciate it. And yeah, like, Your style is on point. I'm telling them. Anyway, maybe Your last sentiment? I think people should Accept people, other people, for who they are. And we should not try to copy and paste people. We should accept people. for being different, having different skin tones, under different conditions, and do not think, Put everybody in the same box. Amazing, amazing. Thank you so much to the person who organized this interview from beginning to end I really love you. Big shout out to my big brother behind the camera His name is Eric Mukaba. My name is presenter Ali. Your entertainment PA, A is always for amazing. And at the end of the day, If you want to make money, Don't waste it.